Seeking Recommendations for Host

Hi,
I love blogging at WordPress.com but am thinking about turning my blog into a web site. I have read a lot of mixed reviews about hosts all over the web (and the three hosts WordPress.org recommends) but I'd like to know which host would you recommend for:
1. to EASILY take my blog and switch it over
2. honest, reliable, host service
3. I want to do some affiliate advertising, who would be good for this and who makes it easy
4. do I need any special skills that I should learn before I get started?
Thank you!